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Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — Malawi

Female labor force participation rate in Malawi in 2025 — 58.18%. Ranked 59 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 20.17 pp.

2025 58.18% −0.35 pp vs 2024
World rank 59of 182
Period maximum 78.35%1990
Period minimum 58.18%2025

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — Malawi, 1990–20255060708019901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 78.35%1991: 78.29%1992: 78.23%1993: 78.18%1994: 78.14%1995: 78.12%1996: 78.11%1997: 78.1%1998: 78.09%1999: 78.09%2000: 78.11%2001: 78.12%2002: 78.13%2003: 78.15%2004: 78.16%2005: 78.16%2006: 76.75%2007: 75.28%2008: 73.75%2009: 72.15%2010: 70.49%2011: 68.77%2012: 67.19%2013: 65.57%2014: 63.92%2015: 62.23%2016: 60.51%2017: 58.77%2018: 58.9%2019: 59.03%2020: 63.13%2021: 58.79%2022: 58.75%2023: 58.64%2024: 58.53%2025: 58.18%
Change over the period: −20.17 pp Annual average: -0.58 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Malawi

Malawi 58.18%
World 48.94%
Sub-Saharan Africa 65.16%
Eastern Africa computed 65.83%
Low-income countries computed 54.64%
Female labor force participation rate — Malawi, by year Malawi All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 58.18 −0.35 pp
2024 58.53 −0.11 pp
2023 58.64 −0.11 pp
2022 58.75 −0.04 pp
2021 58.79 −4.34 pp
2020 63.13 +4.1 pp
2019 59.03 +0.13 pp
2018 58.9 +0.12 pp
2017 58.77 −1.74 pp
2016 60.51 −1.72 pp
2015 62.23 −1.69 pp
2014 63.92 −1.66 pp
2013 65.57 −1.62 pp
2012 67.19 −1.58 pp
2011 68.77 −1.72 pp
2010 70.49 −1.66 pp
2009 72.15 −1.6 pp
2008 73.75 −1.53 pp
2007 75.28 −1.47 pp
2006 76.75 −1.41 pp
2005 78.16 +0 pp
2004 78.16 +0.01 pp
2003 78.15 +0.01 pp
2002 78.13 +0.01 pp
2001 78.12 +0.02 pp
2000 78.11 +0.02 pp
1999 78.09 +0 pp
1998 78.09 −0.02 pp
1997 78.1 −0.01 pp
1996 78.11 −0.01 pp
1995 78.12 −0.02 pp
1994 78.14 −0.04 pp
1993 78.18 −0.05 pp
1992 78.23 −0.06 pp
1991 78.29 −0.06 pp
1990 78.35 —

Eastern Africa, 2025

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

MG Madagascar 82.91 TZ Tanzania 80.28 BI Burundi 79.5 MZ Mozambique 77.09 UG Uganda 75.6 ER Eritrea 72.84 KE Kenya 63.04 ZW Zimbabwe 62.16 ET Ethiopia 58.46 MW Malawi 58.18 RW Rwanda 57.3 ZM Zambia 56.43 KM Comoros 47.65 MU Mauritius 47.46 SO Somalia 20.7 DJ Djibouti 19.37
Full table for all countries

About the indicator

The share of women aged 15 and over who belong to the labor force. The spread across countries runs from under 10% to over 80%, and it is one of the strongest dividing lines between socioeconomic models. Historically the rate rose together with falling fertility and wider access to education.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.

Other indicators for Malawi

Labor Female share of the labor force

What part of the labor force of a country is made up of women.

Malawi by year Labor Labor force participation rate

What share of the population aged 15 and over works or looks for work.

Malawi by year Labor Female unemployment

The unemployment rate of the female part of the labor force.

Malawi by year Demography Total fertility rate

How many children one woman would bear on average if current age-specific fertility held.

Malawi by year
All indicators for Malawi